Crankshaft pin hardening machine



E. G. ROEHM CRANKSHAF'T PIN HARDENING MACHINE Jan. 5, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 22, 1953 INVENTOR. ERW/N G. RQEHM BY A TTORNEYS.

Jan. 5, 1954 ROEHM I 2665 126 CRANKSHAFT PIN HARDENING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1953 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

. EfiW/N e. ROEHM ll TTU/FNEYS.

Jan. 5, 1954 E. G. ROEHM 2,665,126

CRANKSHAFT PIN HARDENING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1955 .9 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VENTOR.

E/PW/N 6. FOE/N7 4 T TOIPNE Y6.

E. G. ROEHM CRANKSHAFT PIN HARDENI'NG MACHINE;

Jan. 5, 1954 Filed May 22, 1953 47' TO/P/VEYS.

Jan. 5, 1954 Filed May-22, 1953 E. G. ROEHM CRANKSHAFT PIN HARDENING MACHINE 9 Sheets- She'et 6 E. G. ROEHM CRANKSHAF'T PIN HARDENING MACHINE Jan. 5, 1954 Filed May 22, 1953 9 Shets-Sheet 7 INVEN TOR. E/PW/N 6. ROEHM 3444mm vii 7M E. G. ROEHM CRANKSHAF'T PIN HARDENING MACHINE Jan. 5, 1954 Filed May 22, 1955 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 g iWNN INVENTOR. [PW/N G. ROEHM fmw 34/1, HZWW ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 5, 1954 Filed May 22, 1953 E. G ROEHM CRANKSHAFT PIN HARDENING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Patented Jan. 5, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 16 Claims. (01. 266-4) This invention relates to flame hardening machines and more particularly to an improved machine for heat treating crankshafts and the like so that all the crank pins and bearing pins of a cranshaft can be uniformly heat treated simultaneously in one operation.

In this invention, each individual pin is placed in the jaws of a bifurcated burner with the necessary clearance to establish a heating flame between the pin and the opposing jaws of the burner, and the shaft is rotated to effect relative rotary movement of the pin within the jaws of the burner to obtain uniform heating of the periphery of the pin. In the case of the crankpins which move in orbital paths, the burner, of course, is synchronized to move in the same path, but it is a bodily movement and not a rotary movement of the burner, whereby the open end of the jaw is maintained facing in the same direction at all times during movement. By synchronizing the rotation of the shaft with the orbital movement of the burners, it is possible to insert and withdraw the pins as respects their respective burners during orbital movement of both, thus eliminating the necessity for starting and stopping movement of the burners for each shaft to be treated. It should be made clear that the bearing pins and their burners have no orbital movement because they are at the center of rotation of the shaft.

One of the objects of this invention, therefore, is to provide a new and improved production hardening machine in which heavy crankshafts may have all of their pins automatically heat treated simultaneously to a predetermined temperature and thereafter quenched in a complete automatic cycle.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic crankshaft heat treating machine with an improved burner mechanism which is arranged to automatically cause the individual burners to follow the crankpins around their individual orbits during rotation of the shaft to thus obtain uniform heating of the pins.

A further object of this invention is to provide an automatic machine for the purposes disclosed which is efficiently arranged for processing work through the machine from a loading station at one end to a discharge station at the rear end of the machine in that a slidable indexible fix ture is provided over a quench tank for receiving work on one side at the loading station for indexing to a heating station on the other side of the fixture and movement to a heating mechanism at the rear of the machine to effect heat-- ing of the work, providing means on the slide operative on its return to move the heated work from the indexible fixture into the quench tank, from which it is removed to the discharge station at the rear of the machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic cyclic operating flame hardening machine for heat treating pins of heavy crankshafts which will move the shafts into heating position in conjunction with eccentric moving burners, rotate the shaft to move the pins in synchronism with the burners to heat the pins withdraw the shaft from the burners automatically under temperature control and bodily lower the shaft into a quench tank as soon as withdrawn to effect quenching before the shaft cools.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and it is to be understood that any modifications may be made in the exact structural details there shown and described, within the scope of the appended claims without departing from or exceeding the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like or similar parts:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying the principles of this invention and viewed from the operators loading position at the front of the machine.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the machine shown in Figure 1 as viewed from the right side of that figure.

Figure 3 is a plan view showing a work piece in operative relation to the respective burners for heating the various portions of a crankshaft.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on the line 5-4 of Figure 3 showing one of the burners for heating a crankpin and the mechanism for supporting it.

Figure 5 is a detail view in elevation of one of the burners for heating a bearing portion of a crankshaft as viewed on the line 5-5 of Fig-- Figure 10 is a detail section as viewed on the line ll0 of Figure 1.

, Figure 11 is a detail section on the line I l-li of Figure 7.

Figure 12 is a detailed section on the line l2-l2 of Figure 1.

Figure 13 is a detailed View on the line I3-|3 of Figure9.

a support for a pair of guideways 23 and 24 formed on the top of the respective side walls and extending toward the rear of the machine which receive a work supporting carriage 253cm: prising a headstock 25-" 'and a taiilsto'ck 2 A rotatably indexible carrier supported between; these stocks onashaft fl' which is journaled at 28in the headstock and in the bushing 29 in the tailstock 26 andwhich also helps'to tie the stock s together. The carrier includes a large drum 30 fixed on the shaft 2'I adjacent the headstock25 and'a second drum 3| mounted on the shaft 21 for sliding movement therealong so that adjustment can be made for different lengths or" work pieces to be mounted between the drums. To this end as shown in Figure 1 2 the shaft 2'1 has a spline 32 formed therein and the drum 3] has attached thereto a bifurcated bracket which surrounds the shaft and is provided with a key 34 fitting the spline 32 whereby the drum 3| may be axially adjusted along the shaft and also driven thereby in any position.

A pair of clamping screws 35 serve to clamp the bracket 33 to the shaft and fix the drum in its selected axial position. The indexible drums have thre e pailis of work supporting means, one pair of which is shown in Figure 8. Each pair comprisesa work driving member 36 fixed to the end of a rotatable shaft 3'! journaled in the drum 3i], anda tailstock socket member 38 fixed to the end of a rotatable shaft 3? journaled in the drum 3i. A work piece, indicated by the reference numeral 41!, in the form of a crankshaft, is shown sup: ported between the work supporting members 35 and 38. It will be noted that the crankshaft has a flange 4] integral with one end in which is out a cross slot 42, and this is adapted to fit a tooth 43 formed on the end of the. member 3a. 'I heother end of the work piece terminates in an ordinary cylindrical portion 43 which fits in a circular bore 44 formed in the end face of the member 38.

From Figure 9, it will be noted that three work pieces 46-, 40a and 4% can be supported simultaneously by the indexible carrier. Extending across the rear of the bed, parallel to the axis of the work, is a work heating mechanism support indicated generally by the reference numeral 45 of the drawings. The work heating mechanism includes a plurality of burners in sufficient number that there is one for each pin and bearing on the crankshaft that is to be flame hardened. Each burner is bifurcated to form a pair of spaced jaws such as 46 and 4?, shown in Figures2 and 4 and the part to be treated is inserted between the jaws by shifting the slidable carriage. Therefore the slidable carriage, including the head and tailstocks 25 and 26, are moved along the guideways 23 and 24 to insert the pins of the crankshaft in their respective burners for the heating operation, and upon completion of this operation the carriage is returned to the front of the machine, and the heated work piece is immediately removed from the indexible carrier and lowered into the quench tank.

In Figure 9, the position of. the workpiece 40b may be termedthe work heating station, the position of the work 4011 may be termed the idle station, and the position of the work piece 40 may be termed theloading station. It will now be apparent that when the work piece 4019, after being heated, is removed from the indexible carrier 7 for quenchingthatthis station becomes empty.

Thus, by indexing the carrier in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 9, the work piece 40a is moved to the work heating station; the work piece 40 is moved to the idle station, and the empty station is moved to the loading station ready to receive a new work piece. In the operation of this machine, a work piece is first loaded, andthen the operator starts the automatic heat,- ing cycle after which the carriage is returned, the heated work piece removed and the indexing op eration effected.

Since the work piece in this case weighs hundreds of pounds, it is necessary touse a lifting, mechanism to place the work piece in the ma;

chine, which includes a cross bar 59 shown in,

Figures 8and 9. This bar has apair oihooksiilv and 52 on opposite ends and equally spaced with respect to the center lifting eye 53. I 'he hook spacing is adapted to correspond tp the distance between the end crank pins 54 and 5 5 QfthQWDIK piece. By utilizing these two crank pins every time to pick up each work piece, the work piece will always assume the same angular positionby force of gravity after it hasbeen lifted from the floor. This, automatically positions the crossslot 4 2 in line with thetooth 43. The lifting. eye

is attached to a suitable hook 5 6 of any conven: tional type of overhead crane.

To further assist in locating the work as it is swung into position, a pair of angleiron s 5'1 are mounted on a cross tube 58 which is connected at opposite ends to thev stocks 25 and 25;

of the crankshaft. It will now be seen that the.

corner angle. 5} locates the crankshaft horis zontally and vertically with its axis of rotation in substantial alignment with. the axis of'rotation of the shafts s1 and as. shown in Figure 8,

It is also necessary to note that by picking upv the shaft by the crank pins 54 and 55 that the shaft is oriented rotatably toalign thecross, slot 42 in the end flange of the workpiece with they driving, tooth 43 formed on theface of the'work driver 36 and alsoto. position a hole 6.!" in the end. flange 4| of the work piece in alignmentwith the driving pin 62 projecting from the face of the work driver 36. It is also necessary to have thework driver in the proper position, andfthis means that each time the work driver stops, it must be stopped in the correct position or moved to thecorrect position after it has stopped. This will be made clear as the description progresses.

The shafts. 31 and'3 9. are retractable for. work loading purposes. To this end the shaft 31 is bearinged in a sleeve e3, FigureS, which is slid; ably mounted in a tubular housing 64 formed integial with the drum 3!). Thehollsing has a slot.

These angle irons are provided with a corner angle 59, which are adaptedto receive the bearing, pins 50.

65 formed therein so that the arm 66 of a crank 61 may be pivotally connected at 68 to the sleeve 63. It will now be evident that rotation of the crank 61 will reciprocate the sleeve. Similarly, the shaft 39 is bearinged in a sleeve 59 slidably mounted in a housing It which is cut away so that a slot 'EI formed in the sleeve may be engaged by a pin it in the arm 12 of a crank I3. The crank it is rotatable about a fixed pivot I and has a second arm "I5 which is pivotally connected at ii to the piston rod 23 of an air cylinder '55 containing a piston 86 connected to the end of the piston rod F8. The crank l3 has a third arm 8i which is pivotally connected at 82 to a reciprocable rack member 83 which meshes with a gear 84 on a spline shaft 85. The spline shaft 85 extends from the drum 3! to the drum 3% where it is provided with another gear it meshing with a similar rack member 8'? pivotally connected at 88 to an arm 89 of the crank til.

Thus, the cylinder I5 is operatively connected for simultaneously effecting power retraction of both shafts 3i and 35. The cylinder I9 is connected by a pair of channels 93 and 95 to a control valve 92 having an operating handle 93 which is operative to connect a flexible pressure line 94 to either of the channels 93, 9E. The valve may be provided with an exhaust pipe 95. Since the drum 3! rotates, the pressure channel 94 is connected to the shaft 2'! which may be provided with an internal bore 95 so that a source of pres-- sure may be connected to the end of the shaft without interfering with rotation thereof. It will now be clear that by operating the handle 93, the work piece may be clamped in the work holders after it is swung into position between them by the lifting mechanism.

Each one of the three driving members 35 has its own driving mechanism in the drum 3t, and each mechanism terminates in a one tooth clutch 91 similar to that shown in Figure '7. In other words, the shaft 3! has a driving gear 93 secured to the end thereof, and this gear meshes with a wide-faced pinion gear 99 to permit sliding movement of the gear 93 relative thereto when the shaft is shifted. The gear 95, as shown in Figure '7, is secured to a short shaft I53 journaled in anti-friction bearings Iiifla and I501) carried by drum 33, which terminates in the one tooth clutch ti. When the work piece reaches the heating station, the one tooth clutch 57 is automatically aligned with a one tooth driving clutch ml which is secured to the end of a shaft I82 which is iournaled in a slidable sleeve I53 mounted in the headstock 25. The housing I54, which contains the sleeve I53, has a slot I55 formed in its periphery so that a pin I33 mounted in the end of a crank I51 may engage the sleeve I63 for shifting the same.

The crank Iill is pivoted at I38 on the housing I54 and has its other end pivotally connected at I03 to a piston rod Ht of an air cylinder III containing a piston l I2 secured to the end of the piston rod. By admitting air pressure to the cylinder I I2, the sleeve 5 33 may be reciprocated, and in the position of the parts shown in Figure 7, may be moved to the right to effect engagement of the clutch members IIII and ill. The shaft I52 has aspur gear II3 secured to the end thereof which meshes with a wide faced opinion gear H4 integral with a shaft II5, shown in Figure 6, which also has integrally connected therewith a worm wheel I it which meshes with a worm I I? keyed to the main drive shaft 1 I8. The drive shaft H8 extends to the rear of the machine and has a pulley I I9 secured to the end thereof which is operatively connected by a belt I 20 to pulley I2I secured to the drive shaft of a motor I22.

It will now be seen, by comparison of Figures 6 and 9, that the one-toothed clutch member ID! is located at the heating station and is successively engageable with clutches 91 as they arrive at the heating station by indexing of the carrier to effect rotation of the particular work piece beme heated.

The drive shaft H9 is also connected for continuous actuation of the various burners in synchronism with the rotation of the work. As shown in Figure 6, the drive shaft H8 is provided with a worm I23 which meshes with a worm wheel I24 mounted on a shaft I25 which is journaled in a housing I26 mounted on the bed of the machine. The shaft has connected to it a spur gear I2? which is operatively connected through idler gear I28 to spur gear I29 fixed to a shaft I35. The shaft I30, as shown in Figure 3, projects from the housing I26 and its outer end is supported by a bracket I3I attached to the housing 45.

The projecting end of the shaft I30 is connected by a coupling I32 to a cam shaft I33. The cam shaft is supported by three pillow blocks i34 mounted on the top of brackets I35 which are attached to a plate I36, as more particularly shown in Figure 5. The plate I36 is secured by bolts I37 to the member 45 which extends across the rear of the machine from the upright standard H33 located on one side of the machine, as shown in Figures 2 and 6, to the upright or standard I23 located on the other side of the machine. As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the cam shaft I33 has a number of eccentrically mounted members thereon indicated by the reference numerals 39, I46, I41, I42, I43 and I44. As shown in Figure 4, each cam member, such as I39, is journaled in a block I45. Since the member I39 is keyed at I45 to the shaft I33 it will be apparent that upon rotation of the shaft that the center of the member I39 will move in a circular path indicated by the dot and dash circle I41 and thereby move the supported block I45 in a like manner. The block I45 has a dependent arm I43 secured thereto, and this arm has a pair of dovetailed guideways I49 formed therein for receiving the ends of the burner jaws 46 and 41.

Since it is necessary to maintain the burner jaws substantially horizontal during their eccentric movement, the block I45 is connected or supported by a parallel motion linkage mechanism. From Figure 4 is will be noted that a pair of parallel links 558 and I5! are pivotally connected at spaced points to the upper side of the member I45. These links are of the same length and are connected to opposite corners of an intermediate member I52. This member is connected by a second pair of parallel links I53 and I54 of equal length to fixed pivots I55 and I56 supported by the plate 35. The spacing between the pivots E55 and E55 is equal to the spacing between the pivots lid and E53, and the distance between the pivots I59 and IE3 is equal to the spacing between the pivots I5! and I 52. Thus, as the block I45 moves up and down due to rotation of the cam E39, the depending member I48 will be maintained in substantially a vertical position, and the arms 45 and 47 will be maintained in substantially a horizontal position.

In order to counterbalance the overhanging weight of the arms 43 and .41, the bracket I48 is connected by a spring I63 to a'fix'ed overhanging aeec raa 7; arm I64 projecting from the-plate: I35. It isto: be noted that the-eccentricity ofthe member I33; is equal to'the eccentricity or throw of the crank pin of thecra-nkshafts which means that the circle of rotation I4] :of the centerof the eccentric is equal to the circle of. rotation I65, indicatedin Figure 4 as representing. the-circle of: retation of the center of the crank pin I,6.6.. Although the burnerand the-crank pin thus move in equal circles, it is necessary to havethem -in phase because the crank pin enters the'burner while they are bothrotating. Thisistakencare of" initially inthe set-up of the machine in that.

there is a common drive to:the shaft I30, and to the one tooth clutch member Ill-L referred to in-oon-nection with Figure '7, and it .isonlynec-' essar-y' maths-original assemblyof the machine to utilize thecoupling I32r-to connect the cam shaft. 433 in the proper angular relation to-its drive shaft I30 when all of the cam members on the shaft I33 are-properly oriented with respect to the crank pins: with which theyicoopcrate. It is also to be noted. that the cam shaft I33 is continuously rotating during operation of themachine, but due to the one tooth clutch. IIII, the work piece is alwaysconnected in proper phased relation to the cam shaft. I33; thus making it possibleto. insert thecrank pins int-heirres-pective burnerseven while-all theparts are rotating andit is not necessary to stop the rotation of the camshaft I33 ea'ch time'a workpiece is retracted by the carriage after a heatingoperation.

Itshould now :be clear that the-work piece is always placed'in the machine in-the sameangular position and thatthe cross key; 43-inthe plate 3.6,;Figure -8,.must always be in the proper. angular relationship for insertion in -a-slot-42 in the" end of the work. Therefore, to insurethat'each' one .of the drive mechanismsis-in-proper position toreceive a work piece at the-loadingstation, the one'tooth clutch 9ZI,,as shown in'Figurea? and 10,0-hasa detent member I G-I'and a fiat 'sidedcollar Ifiakeyed thereto byxa key M59.

Referring now-to Figure 10, a curved locator plate I10 is resiliently. supported on the head+ stock-25. by pins .IJI- and-spring- I TI!" interposed between the section of one leg of the plate.- When the drumfill: is indexed counterclockwise, the collar I68 will-contact-the curved-surface .III of the member I10 and be rotated thereby due to friction between the parts until the flat I12 is opposite-or parallelto -the surface I II wherebyv the rotation willstops Simultaneous1y,,adetentplunger I13, Figure 11, slidabl-y mounted in-a plate I" attached tothe drum 3!! and having a roller H in its end, engages a notch IIGnin the.

detent ring I-B'I andthereby; holdsi theparts in proper relationship. A spring 'IFII servesito hold the detent engaged. When itz'comes time "for the one tooth .clutchto be =engag'ed;aset screw ITS threaded in :a' wing.:I1'I8 projecting from-the sleeve Itsengagesone'arm of a bell crank I'80 conne'cted to plunger IT-B and thereby withdraws the" detent to-permit 'f-r'ee'rotation of the'parts.

attention is called to the factthat the rotation of thecollar I-68 not only positions the parts so thatthe detent'will engage but also rotates the tooth 43 in Figure '8' into proper position to engage "thework .piece. After the work piec'eha's been engaged; it is held .in a definite angular relation to the one to'oth clutch 91' and the one tooth clutch" is'hcldlinia definite position by. the detent until itis'timeto'drlve'itl Indexing mechanism The drive-shaft H8 is also utilized for driving the drum indexing mechanism. As shown in Figure 6; a magnetic clutch indicated generally by the reference numeral I8I, is attached to the end of the shaft I I3 and therefore is continuously rotated thereby. Electric current is supplied to the clutch member by means of a pair of fixed brushes I82 and I83 which engag respectively a pair of commutator rings I84 and I85 carried bythe shaft but insulated therefrom. The commutator rings are electrically connected'to the clutch magnets in the usual manner to form a circuit therethrough. An indexing drive shaft I 86ais' supported for rotation coaxially with the shaft I I8 and has an armature plate I81 attached to one end'thereof adjacent the magnet I81. The

plate I81 carries a plurality of armatures I88" which" ar resiliently supported in the plate I'8'I' for magnetic attraction by the clutch I8I for impartingrotationto the shaft I86. In addition,

the plate I81 carries another set of armature blocks I 89 resiliently mounted on the opposite side of the plate for attraction by a brake magnetl90 which is fixed against rotation and serves to stop the-mutation of the shaft I86 when it is declutched from the shaft IIB. The'shaft I86 has'a worm IBIS" fixed'thereto in mesh with a wo'rm wheel I 93 keyed to a shaft I84 which also has keyed thereto a spur gear I35. The spur gear meshes with an indexing gear is? which is fixed to the end of the shaft 21 that supports the drums. The sequential operation of the magnets will be explained in connection with the electrical-circuit.

Quenching mechanism The mechanism for immersing a heated work piecein the quench after withdrawal from the burners is shown more particularly in Figure 9. This mechanism comprises two arms, indicated generally by the reference numerals I91 and I98 inFigure 1 which are fixed to a rotatable shaft I'99which extends across the front of the machine; One end of the shaft is journaled'in theta-ilstock 26 asshown in Figure 2. From this figure it'will be noted thatan arm 260 is keyed to the end of the shaft I99 and connected by a link 20] to the end of apiston rod 2132 which, in turn, is'connectedto a piston 203 slidably mounted .in a cylinder 204' mounted on the member 26. The opposite ends of the cylinder have pipe connections 205 and thy which compressed air is'admitted to one end or the other of the'cylinder to raise or lower the arm 20D and thereby rock the shaft I99 to raise and lower the arms I91 and The arm I91 as shown in Figure 9 of the drawings is provided with a shaft zlfl journaled in the end thereof. The shaft 201 has a sprocket gear niiwfixed thereto and also a gear 209; The gear 203 meshes with gear-teeth 269a and 20% formed on one flange of a pair of grooved rollers 2H) and 2.II respectively and shown in Figure 13 as mounted on the arm I91. The groove of these- 2-15 which are positioned to engage the reduced end 43 of the work piece, and both sets of rollers engage the underside of the work piece for receiving and supporting it when the centers are withdrawn in the carrier. To insure that the work pieces are securely held in the ends of the arms, separate clamping rollers 2H and 2&8 are provided, one for each. end of the work, and these clamping rollers are mounted in the end of a link iii? of a parallel motion linkage comprising a pair or" parallel arms 2% and 22! which ar piovtally connected to the arm Hit by pivots 222 and 22-3 respectively. The link 2221 is operatively connected to the end of a piston rod 224 slidably mounted in a cylinder 225 carried by the arm it"! and containing a piston which is connected to the end of the piston rod. By admitting air to opposite ends of the cylinder 22-5 through pipe connections 226' and 22'i the piston may be moved back and forth to move the roller from an unclamping position, indicated by the dash and dot lines are in Figure 9, to a clamping position indicated by the reference numeral 229.

A duplicate operating mechanism is mounted on the arm its for operating the roller 2 I i. Thus, when the arms are raised to receive the work piece, the pistons 226 are actuated to clamp the work piece to the carrier arms, and then both. arms are swung downward to immerse the work piece in the quench. To insure that the quenching is more thorough, means are provided for rotating the various guide rollers to cause rota tion of the work piece while being quenched. This is accomplished by connecting the sprocket wheel its by means of a chain 2% to a sprocket wheel 23% shown in Figure l, the sprocket wheel being connected to the end of a tubular shaft 232 which extends to the headstock 25 where it is provided with a sprocket wheel 233. As shown in Figure 6, the sprocket wheel 233 is connected by another chain 234 to a sprocket wheel 235 driven by a motor 236.

The motor 256 is continuously actuated during operation of the machine, and thus as soon as a work piece is clamped in the mechanism, it is started to rotate. not only lowers the workpiece into the quench but still maintains control over it during the next advance movement of the slide, with the result that the work piece is not only rotated in the quench, but is bodily moved through the quench at the same time. It is after this advance movement that the mechanism releases the work piece, and it rolls out onto the conveyor belt 231.

This belt is supported and guided by suitable sprocket wheels 238, 239, an: and 2M and extends substantially the full length of the quench tank and is intermittently operated to remove a work piece from the tank. The sprocket wheel 245i is mounted on a shaft 2%! which passes through the side of the machine andqis provided with a pulley 2 52 which is connected by a belt 253 to the pulley 26d of a motor 255. Thus, by intermittently operating the motor the conveyor belt will be moved the desired amount.

Automatic cycle of operation Before describing the automatic operation of this machine, a starting point must be assumed, and for this purpose it will be assumed that the indexible carrier is completely loaded with work pieces at the three stations. It will also be assumed that the slidable carriage which supports the indexible carrier is at the front of the machine. By closing the main switch 245, shown at .top left .in Figure .15, the maindriving mem- The quenching mechanism her I22 will be energized and, as previously explained, this motor may run continuously. Similar provision may be made for motor 236 which runs continuously. This means that the burners shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5 will be continuously oscillated in their circular path, the radius of which is equal to the throw of the crank pins to be treated.

The closing of switch 2% also energizes the transformer 24], the secondary 248 of which is connected to the parallel power lines 249 and 255 of the electrical control circuit. The operator may now close the start button 25! to energize the automatic cycle control relay CR! through line 252, which has serially arranged therein a stop button 253 and a selector switch 25 which selects between automatic and manual operation. When the switch is in the position shown, the contact 255 is closed, and the contact 255 is open, thereby breaking the circuit to the manual control relay CRZ-A. Actuation of relay CR! closes its latching contact CRl-i, thereby completing a latching circuit around the start button 25E so that the same may be released by the operator.

lhe cycle control relay CRl has a number of contacts which are closed upon operation of the relay to set up the circuit for automatic operation, and one of these contacts is CRi5, lower right of Figure 15, for energizing solenoid 21A to engage work driving clutch at heating station of indexible support. CRl-5 completes a circuit from 2 55 through line 25'. to solenoid 2iA, which line has serially arranged contacts TR53, CR94, and CRI@5 therein, but these contacts are all closed at this time so that solenoid HA is immediately energized to actuate the control valve 2553 which admits air pressure to line 259 and thereby shifts the piston H2, shown in Figure '7, to engage the one tooth driving clutch [GI and thus start rotation of the work piece located at the heating station. Since this is the only work driving clutch, the work pieces at the other two stations will not be rotated.

When the piston H2 is to the left, a dog 25E! carried by the piston rod i it releases limit switch LSII2 and actuates limit switch LS2, shown in Figure 7. The limit switch LS2 closes its contact LS2-l in line 26! to relay CREE, the contact CRtl being closed at this time.

Energization of relay CRlS closes its contact (ERIE-i in line 262 leading to slide control solenoid 22A. Contact CRl-6 in line 262 is already closed by operation of the automatic cycle control relay CRi. Solenoid 22A shifts the control valve 263 to admit fluid pressure to a pair of cylinders, one of which, 25%, is shown in Figure 15 and is located on the left side of the bed as shown in Figure 6. This cylinder has a piston 26! which is connected by a piston rod 253 to a bracket 269 attached to and depending from the headstock 25. A second cylinder 2 H} attached to the other side of the bed, as shown in Figure 2, and has a piston 2?! connected by a piston rod 212 to a bracket 2'53 attached to and depending from the tailstock 25. ihe valve 253 therefor connects pressure to the branch lines 2M and 215 simultaneously to cause advance movement of the slide comprising the head and tailstocks. This moves the work piece to be heated into the burners, and it will be remembered that both the crank pins on the work piece, and the burners are moving in phase and synchronisrn in a circular path, and, therefore, the pins will enter their respect-iveburners,--even although the parts are in a state f-rotation.

' Itwill be noted from-Figures 2 and'6 that the bed isprovided with'positive'stops 216 and'2'l1 -which serve to'stop' or'limit the-advance 'move- I --ment of the s1ide,-and'this-will-position the-crankpins in-the enlargement or heating throat of the respective burners, as indicated by the-reference numeral 218 in Figure 4 of the drawings.

-As the slide reaches its advanced movement, a

dog*2'l9 carried by-thectailstock operates limit switch LS3. contact LS3| -in'li-ne280 and thereby energize the-timer relay TR l 0.

This-causes the switchto close its 'This relay closes its contact"TRl0| in line -28 l leading to timer-relays TR2 and 'TRi3--which control firing Of'thG bUIIIGI'S aIId SiIlOB contact 'CRl-3 has been closed by the'automatic cycle control relay CR1 and the contact CR8-l .is closed at this time, a circuit is completed to timer relays TBZ- and TR3. 'TimerrelayTRZ closes its contact TR2-! in line 282=to energize gas control relay CRIB; and'timer-relay TR3 closes-its contact TBS-4 -in'line 283'to energize'gas control relay CRIE. Relay'CRlb is immediately operated while-there is a slight delay in operation of relay CRIS b-y-its timer relay, and 'this'is:be-

be litbefore the oxygen is added to the flamefi The methodof lighting thegas isnot'disclosed herein andany-conventional means may be utilized for lighting the gas when it is turned on. 'It will now be seen-that assoonasthe .work piece has been advanced into the burners, the heating gasis turned on and lit-and the .heatingoperation of all the pinsisstarted. An automatic'temper-ature control pick-up 291 Figure 15, has been provided for determining when the :work piece has reached the desiredtemperature so that the heating operation may be automatically discontinued.

At this point it is desired-to stop and explain what has been occurring with respect to the quenching mechanism because at this point it begins to enter into the-automatic cycle in preparation for removing the work piece which is now being heated, and, at the proper point in the cycle, lowering it into the quench-tank. 'When the slide was advanced to -move the present work piece into heating position, the quenching mechanism shown in Figure 9, is in its lowered .position in the quench tank as shown in that figure, and since the elevating arms are mounted on a shaft supported by the slide, the apparatus will move forward and thereby move the previously heated work piece which is still in the mechanism, bodily through the oil in the quench tank, and ,while still being rotated by the motor 235. It will, therefore, be seen that while the present work piece is being heated that the previously heated work piece is still being rotated in the bottom of the quench tank, and it is necessary that this work piece be released, and the quenching mechanism moved into position preparatory to receiving the work piece now being heated.

The first step in this direction was started by the operation of the timer relay TRID when energized by the limit switch LS3 to condition a circuit for later operation of the cylinder 225 of 12 the-quenchingmechanism. The relay TR l 0 effects immediate "closing-of its contact TR] 9| and delayed closing-of its c0ntact"TRlZJ'2. The

closing of TRlUl immediately operates relay TR'Z, therebyopening its contact TRZ-Z in line "290 to--solenoid'"248-shown at the bottom of'Fig- -ure 15,-before TRIO- 2 closes in that line.

-While the work is being heated; means are providedfor-continuously ascertaining the temperature of the work, and this is-accomplished by providing anelectric thermopile device indicated by the reference numeral'29l in Figure 3 which is supported on a bracket "292 projecting from the support [26. It will'be noted that this device is focused on one of thebea-ring pins which would be representative of the temperature of all of the pins'being heated. This device is a commercial device soldunder the trade name of Speed- O-Max; and therefore further description thereof is not necessary'except tosay that this device includes a normally closed switch indicated by the reference numeral -2 93 i in the electrical diagram and when 'thetemperature of the work reaches the desired *point the normally closed switch'is automatically opened. 'It will benoted that'this' switch'is in 'line 2-94 and is connected in parallel with switch contact CR35'to line 295.

The line 295 terminates in control relay CR8.

It is sufiicient'tosay'at this time that the contact 'CR3 5 is closed by the previous operation of the indexing mechanism and will be further described later in connectionwith the operation of the'indexing. Therefore'the relay CR8 has been previously'energized and in so doing closed its latching contact CR8-'2 in line 294, thereby completing a circuit through relay contact CBS-"2, 'switch 293, and latching contact CR8-'2. Since therelay CR9 is not energized'at this time, the contact CR9--2 will be closed becauseitis'a normally closed'contact. It will now be seen that there is a=clrcuit to the control relay CR8 which will'be broken when the switch 293 is automatically opened by the temperature control-mechanism in response to the work having been heatedtoth'e required temperature.

The immediate effect "of releasing the relay CR8 is to open its contact CRB-l in line 28L thereby releasing the timer relays TR2 and TBS. Release of the'timer relay TR2 closes its normally closed contact 'TR2-2 in line 290, thereby completing the circuit previously conditioned to solenoid 24B which now becomes energized to operate its valve 296 to which it is operatively connected and cause admission of fluid pressure to cylinder 225 and thereby move piston 226 in a .direction to release the work clamping fingers 229. The work piece therein will immediately .roll out 'of the quenching fixture onto the conveyor "belt 231.

The closing of the circuit in line 290 also completed a circuit to energ'iz'etimer relays TRS and TR]. In conjunction with this, the release of relay CR8 caused its normally closed contact CR83 in line 291 to relay CRM to close, thereby completing a circuit through normally closed contact CBS-2 to energize relay CRM. This 'relay has two contacts CRH-l and CRM-Z in connection with solenoids 23A and 23B which control the operation of the elevating arms I91 of the quenching fixture. This relay acts as a selector in that'when the relay is energized it closes contact CRil -l and sets up a circuit through line 298 to solenoid 23A and simultaneously opens its normally closed contact CRI42 to break the circuit in line 299 to deenergize solenoid 23A. It will now be seen that the circuit to solenoid 23B is broken and the circuit through line 298 is completed, not only through the closing of contact CRlli but also the closing of contact TRl3 associated with the timer relay TR! which has just been described. The result is that the solenoid 23A will be energized and thereby operate the control valve 299 operatively connected to it and admit air pressure to cylinder 20d, thereby raising the operating arms 19! of the quenching fixture. This will move up into position along the dash and dot line indicated by the line 2 I 4 in Figure 9 in position to grasp the work piece which has just been heated.

While this has been going on, the timer relay T32 and TR3 have been effective in extinguishing the heating flames by opening the contacts TR2-l and TBS-l in the circuits to the gas control relay CRI5 and CRle which, as previously described, control the operation of the gas valve solenoids 285 and 288. The timer relay TR3 is set to instantaneously operate while the timer relay TR? has a delayed operation whereby the oxygen gas will be turned off first. It will now be seen that by the time the quench mechanism has been elevated into position that the heating flames have been extinguished.

When the work arms complete their upward movement the operating arm Ziiil shown in Figure 2 operates limit switch LS9 which, as shown in Figure 15, closes its contact LS9I in line 389 and completes circuit to control relay CRI2. This relay closes its contact CRI2-3 in line 30! at the bottom of Figure 15 to solenoid 2 4A. It is to be noted that when the timer relay IE5 was energized, it opened its normally closed contact CR5-l in branch line 362 leading to solenoid 24B whereby solenoid are becomes deenergized just prior to the energization of solenoid 2 3A, thereby permitting the latter to shift the valve 296 and cause reverse operation of piston 225 and thereby engagement of the work by the work clamping and driving rollers 258, iii and 2t I.

As previously explained, the control relay CRI3 was energized by the closing of contacts LS2--l and CR8-4 so that the deenergization of relay CR8 by the temperature control mechanism opened the contact CR8% and thereby deenergized relay CR4 3. The result of this is that contact CRl3--l in line 262 opens the circuit direct to slide control solenoid 22A, but contact CRiS-Z in line 353 to solenoid 22B closes because it is a normally closed contact, and since the relay CRIZ has just been energized by the operation of limit switch LS9, it closes its contact CRI2-2, thereby completing the circuit to solenoid 2233 which shifts the valve 2%, thereby reversing the pressure in cylinder 28%, causing the slide to retract the work from the burners.

Relay CREE also closes its Contact CRi2-i in line 394 leading to relay CR9. Since relay CR5 is deenergized at this time its contact CR5-3 is normally closed, thereby setting up a circuit which is completed by the operation or" limit switch LS. which, as shown in Figure 2, is operated by a dog 3G5 carried by the slide member 26 and positioned to operate limit switch LS4 during the course of the return movement of the slide. When the limit switch is operated, closes its contact LS il and energizes relay CR9 which, in turn, closes its contact CRe-3, thereby latching in the circuit around the contact LSt-l.

it will now be seen that the control relay CR8 operates in response to work temperature, and everything waits until the work temperature has reached the desired degree. Then the relay CR8 operates either directly or through the timer relays, to extinguish the flames, empty the quenching mechanism, and cause it to be raised into position to grip the newly heated work piece. It also sets up a circuit for operation of the reversing valve 263 to cause return movement of the slide, but this circuit is not completed until the arms of the quenching mechanism have completed their elevating movement.

Continuation of the cycle then depends on the operation of limit switch LS9 by the elevating arms upon completion of their upward movement. Then, simultaneously, the work gripping rollers 2I8 engage the work, and the slide starts retracting the work from the burners.

As will be explained now, during the return movement of the slide, the one-tooth driving clutch is disengaged, and the work holding spindles are retracted, thereby freeing the work so that the quenching mechanism is its sole support, and so that at the end of the return movement, the quenching mechanisnrcan be oper ated to quench the work.

Attention is invited to the fact that at the beginning of the slide return, it releases the limit switch LS3, thus opening its contact List-l and cleenergizing the timer relay TRIS, which opens its contact 'IRl 9-4 in line 28| to the timer relays IE2 and TBS which control the gas valves. It will be noted that in this circuit the operation is such that the closing of TRlil--l energizes the timer relays TR2 and TR3, but these relays are deenergized by the opening of the contact CR8I.

The relay CR9 partially functions to recondition the circuit for the next cycle by opening its contact CR9-2 in line 294 to prevent any effect in the circuit by the closing of switch 283 in the thermopile when its temperature naturally falls due to extinguishing the heating flames. It abo opens its normally closed contact CR--i in line 306 to prevent operation of timer relay TRG. Relay CR9 also reverses its connections to clutch solenoids MA and 2IB by opening its normally closed contact CRSd to solenoid 2 Hi and closing its contact CR95 to solenoid 21-1-3, thereby energizing the latter to cause shifting of valve 258 into a position to disengage the one-tooth driving clutch 56!. Although the disengagement of this clutch would normally stop rotation of the work it will be remembered that the work is not gripped in the driving rollers 1H3, 2i i of the quenching mechanism which, as previously explained, are continuously driven by the motor 236.

The disengagement of the one tooth clutch lill effected release of limit switch LS2 and operation of limit switch LSIZ. LSIZ closes its contact in line 30?, causing operation of relay CR25 near the top of Figure 15, which, in turn, closes its contact CR25-l in the circuit 36% of index control relay CR3.

Also, during the return movement or the slide in the direction of arrow 3519 in Figure 1 a trip finger 3H) is engaged by a fixed tripping pawl 3| l and rotated in a counterclockwise direction from its dotted line position to its full line position. The pawl 3|! is pivotally mounted on a pin 352 secured in an upright 2H3 which is bolted to an angle plate 314 which, as shown in Figure 1, is fastened at M5 to the side wall of the machine.

The finger till is supported in a channeled member 316 which is secured to the drum 3! by a pair of bolts 3|? and 398, which also serve as pivot pins for the finger BIG, and a lever are which has a ball and socket connection at 320 steam with-the finger m. The 'iever m is also bifurcated at the end to engage a groove 321 in the "is operated to clamp the next work piece in the fixture, the valve stem 322 will be moved in an opposite direction and thereby reset the position of the finger 3T9. In case there is any interference between the finger3 I 9 and the tripping lever "3H during relative r'n'ovement in the opposite direction, 'a spring 323 i's attached to a bolt 324 that is connected to the end of the lever 3H to permit deflection thereof. It will now be seen that as the work fixture retracts from the burner, 'the end supports for the work piece are autorriatically retracted, and the one tooth clutch disengaged whereby the quenching fixture forms the sole support for the work piece.

When the work support members are retracted at station 493, Figure 10, the bell crank 87, shown in Figure 8 for that station, is rotated in a clockwise direction, and this bell crank has a plunger '325 'pivotally connected thereto at 326 and all during the heating cycle holds the plunger 325A engaged with crank 321A on end of actuating rod 32'! as shown in Figures 1 and 10, which is 'operatively connected to a limit switch LS! i mounted on top of support 25, Figure 6. Therefore, the release of this limit switch by the moveme'nt of plunger 325A to the right as viewed in Figure 1 will cause the contact LS! !l to close because it is a normally closed contact. This energizes relay CR6 which closes its contact CR62 in line 299 to quenching solenoid 23A but CR! 4-4 is held open. I

On completion of the return stroke of the work support slide, limited by positive stop 2H, Figure 6, a dog 339, shown in Figure 2, operates limit switch LS which closes its contact LS5I in line 33! to energize control relay CR5. The relay will close its contact ORE-l in line 398 of the circuit to control relay CR3. It'will also open its normally closed contact CBS-2 to deenergize control relay CRM. This relay will open its contact CRI4I in the line 298 to solenoid 23A, thereby deenergizing this solenoid, and close its contact CRM-Z to solenoid 23B, whereby the work will be lowered into the quench tank. Relay CR5 also opens its contact CR5-3, thereby breaking the circuit to relay CR9.

Deener'gization of relay CR9 results in the closing of its normally closed contacts CR9l in line 396, CRS- E in line 294, and CR94 in line 251 and the opening of its other two contacts CR9-3 and CR9-5. This operation produces no important result at this time and simply amounts to resetting of these switches for future operation.

Limit switch LS6, shown in Figure 2, is operated by the work arms lowering the work piece into the quench tank, and closes its contact hSS-A in line 308 leading to the indexing relay CR3. Operating in conjunction with the index relay CR3 is the index and preset control relay CR1. It will be noted that the circuit 398 to the index relay CR3 has an indexing start button 33| which the operator may use to start an indexing operation if all the other switches in the circuit "are closed. However, a contact CR1-I is connected in "parallel with this button and is adapted to be closed by the relay CR1 if the op- 1'6 erator desires to preset the circuit for automatic operation of the indexing mechanism whenth'e conditions are such as to permit such operation. In order to understand this more clearly, the present condition of the indexible work support must be kept in mind.

The indexible carrier, as explained, has three stations, that is, a loading station, an idle station, and a heating station. At this particular point in the explanation of the cycle of operation, the heating station is empty. The idle station is loaded with a work piece, and a work piece was loaded into the carrier at the loading station prior to the start of this cycle. Therefore, at the time that the work piece wasloaded at the loading station the operator decides whether to push the index and preset button 332 in circuit 333 leading to the index and preset control relay CR1. If he decided to operate the button at that time, the other switch contacts CR|9-2 and CR l2 in circuit 333 would be closed, and the relay CR1 would be energized, closing its latching contact CRT-2 located in parallel with the push button 3322, thereby latching the circuit closed and permitting release of the push button 332.

This circuit would then remain latched all through the heating cycle just explained, and since the relay CR1 would also 'close its contact CRll around the index button 33!, the indexing operation would automatically start when all the necessary circuit conditions have been fulfilled. If the operator decided not to operate the push button 332, then when the time came for operation of the index mechanism, he would have to manually close the push button 331.

It will be noted that there are six difierent switches in the circuit 2338 to the index relay CR3 and all of these switches must be closed before the indexing operation can be started. Taking these in order, it explained that the contact LS3I was closed as 'a result of the heated work piece being moved into the quench tank by the quenching mechanism. The contact CR4| is closed as a result of the operation of relay CR4 by closed contact LSl-i of limit switch LS1 which is held closed as shown in Figures 1, 6 and 8 by plunger 325 acting on crank 34'! of rod 348 which is similarly connected at the other end by crank 349 for operation of switch LS7 as shown in Figures 1 and 10. Contact CR5| is closed by relay CR5 which is operated by limit switch LS5 as shown in Figure 2 when the work support returned to the front of the machine. Contact CR25--l is closed due to the operation of Relay CR'25 by limit switch LSI2 which was operated by disengagement of the one tooth clutch as shown in Figure '7. Contact CRIB-l is closed by relay CRHl which is in the indexing circuit and which is normally maintained energized by limit switch LS-I associated with the indexing mechanism as shown in Figure 6. Contact CBS-4 is closed due to the energization of relay CR9 by limit switch LSI! which was released when the work supporting members at the heating station were retracted to release the work piece for quenching. The last one of these six switches to close was LS6-| which thereby completed the circuit to index relay CR3 when the heated work piece was moved into the quench tank.

Indexing operation the relay CR3 is energized, it closes its latching contact CRS-l in line 334 which is connected to line 338 between contacts CR--I and CR2 5I. At the same time the relay closes its contact CR3-2 and opens its normally closed contact CR3-3 in the indexing circuit and its normally closed contact CR35 in line 252 to the cycle relay CR5, releasing it. The index circuit is supplied with current from a rectifier, indicated generally by the reference numeral 335, which is connected by one line 336 to the A. C. line 249, and by a second line 331 to the A. C. line 259. Pulsating direct current is taken off of the rectifier by a pair of lines 338 and 339. A condenser 343 is connected across the output of the rectifier to smooth out the ripples in the current. Line 338 is connected through a contact LSI-2 of limit switch LSI, and a resistance 3: to relay CRIB, the other side of the relay being connected by line 339 to the rectifier. It will be noted from Figure 6 that the limit switches LSI and LSI-3 are held open by arms 342 and 343 respectiv'elywhich are attachedto shaft [I4 which supports the indexing gear I93. This means that the normally closed contacts LSI-I and LSI3-I are held open, thereby breaking the circuit to the clutch magnetizing coil 344. The brake magnetizing coil indicated by the reference numeral 345 is normally maintained energized by contact LSI32, which is closed by limit switch LSI3 during the heating operation, normally closed, contact CR3-3, and contact CR25-3 which is closed due to the operation of limit switch LSI2. Therefore, the operation of index relay CR3 opens the normally closed contact CR3-3, breaking the circuit to the brake coil 345, thereby releasing the brake of the indexing mechanism. It will be noted that a condenser 345 is connected across the brake coil and that a variable resistance 34! is connected in series with the coil. A by-pass switch CRIII3 is connected across the resistance and operable by relay CRIB. Since during the heating operation relay CRIB is energized, the switch CRI il--3 is closed and the full current is on the brake coil 345. At the same time the closure of contact CR3--2 sets up a circuit to the clutch coil 344 through line 348 and line 349, the contact CR25-2 being closed at this time. Thus, with clutch engaged and brake off, the worm gear I 90 in Figure 6 starts to rotate worm I93 and shaft iI4, moving arms 342 and 343 out of engagement with limit switches LSI and LSI3. This immediately causes closure of contacts LSII and LSI3-I and opening of contact LSI-'2. The opening of switch LSI-2 breaks the circuit to relay CRIIJ, thereby closing its contact CRIB-4 in parallel with the resistance SM, and opening the contact CRIB-3 which is connected in parallel with the variable resistance 34? in series with the brake coil 345. Also, the operation of relay CRIB opens its contact CRIU2 in line 333 leading to the preset control relay CR1, breaking the circuit to that relay which, in turn, opens its latching contacts CR'II and CRY-2 which are connected in parallel with the push buttons 33! and 332.

After a complete revolution of the worm gear I33 the limit switch LSI3 is again operated by arm 343, closing contact LSI3-2 in the index circuit and opening contact LSI3 I, thereby connecting the high resistance 3'41 in series with the clutch coil 345 to cause the clutch coil to effect a deceleration. This effects a slowing down of the rotation of the indexing mechanism and a. slight additional movement will cause arm 342 to operate limit switch LSI, thereby closing its 18 contact LSI2, energizing relay CRIEI which will close its contact CRIB-3 and immediately allow a full flow of current into the brake coil 345 around the resistance 34'! and lock the parts in that position.

The operation of the automatic index mechanism effects rotation of the work fixture through an angle of degrees, and thus moves the Work piece at the loading station to the idle station, and the work piece at the idle station to the heating station, thus leaving the loading station empty ready for the operator to load the next work piece.

Referring to Figure 10, as the drum starts indexing, pin 325A moves from a position opposite crank arm 321A of limit switch LSII into a position opposite crank arm 341 of limit switch LS1. Since the pin is retracted at this moment, it produces no effect. However, the pin 3255 is projected and as it moves into position opposite crank 321A, causes operation of limit switch LSI I, opening its contact LSI I-I and deenergizing relay CR6 which is held deenergized throughout the next heating cycle. Simultaneously, pin 325 at the loading station moves to the idle station, releasing limit switch LS1, deenergizing relay CR4, and opening its contacts CR4-I and ORA-2, the latter breaking the latching circuit to the preset index relay CRl. When the new work piece is loaded, the pin 32% will be projected and actuate limit switch LS'I, so that LS'I-I is closed, reenergizing relay CR4, so that CR42 will be closed again, and the operator can reenergize the circuit by operation of the preset button 332 after the work is loaded and the new cycle started by operation of button 25!.

When the indexing relay CR3 was energized to start the indexing operation, it closed another of its contacts CR3-4, thereby energizing timer relay TR6, which closed its latching contact TEE-2 in line 306, and time-closed contact TR63 in circuit to clutch solenoid 2IA. When index is completed, CRIB-5 will close, and when the operator completes loading the work and presses the cycle start button 25 I, contact CRI--5 will close and the next cycle will begin.

What is claimed is:

V 1. In a machine for flame hardening the pins of a crankshaft, said pins having an equal throw and arranged in predetermined angular phase relation, the combination of a bed having a slide, means to rotatably support a crankshaft on said slide, a plurality of bifurcated burners arranged on the bed parallel to said pins and providing elongated end slots for receiving the respective pins upon movement of the slide toward said burners, said burners being arranged in the same angular phase relation as said pins, means on the bed supporting said burners for movement in a circle having a radius equal to the throw of said pins, and power operable means for effecting joint rotation of said crankshaft and burners. 2. In a machine for flame hardening the pins of a crankshaft, said pins being arranged in pre-' determined angular phase relation about the axis of said shaft, the combination of means for receiving and heating said pins including a plurality of bifurcated burners arranged in the same phase relation as said pins about an axis parallel to the axis of the crankshaft, said burners having elongated end slots arranged in parallel relation to simultaneously receive the respective pins upon lateral movement of the shaft to- 19 ward said. burners, means. on the bed: supporting saidburners for movement in a circle havinga radius equal to the throw of said pins, and power operable means for .efiecting joint movement of the associated pairs of pins; and burners about the axis of, said shaft during heating of the. pins.

3.. In a machine for flame. hardening the pins of a crankshaft; said pinsbeing arranged in. predetermined angular phase relation about the axis of said shaft, the combination of a heating mechanism including a plurality of bifurcated burners providing elongated end slots for receiving said pins upon movement. of said shaft toward the burners, means supporting saidburners for movement about, an axis in a circle having a radius equal to the throw of said pins, means to position the crankshaft with its axis of rotation-in juxtaposition to the axis of said circle, and power operable means for'moving the shaft and burners about said axis in synchronism to effect heating of said pins.

4. In a machine for flame hardening the pins of crankshafts, the combination of a bed having a slidemounted thereon, an'indexable work carrier mounted on the slide for supporting a plurality of crankshafts, a heating mechanism mounted on the bed, power operable means; .to move the slide to and from said heating mechanism, said indexable carrier having a plurality of stations, headstock and tailstock members at each station, power operable means for moving said members toward and from each other'to engage opposite ends. of a work piece including a manually operable control valve for each station to effect clamping'of the work, a trip member mounted on the bed, and trip actuablemeans operatively connected with each valve and successively positionableby said. indexable carrier for engagement by said trip member during return movement of said slide.

5. In a machine for flame hardening the pins of "crankshafts, the combination of a bed having aslide mounted thereon, an indexable carrier mounted on the slide having a plurality of work supporting stations, fluid operable-means at each station for engaging the ends of a crankshaft including a control valve, manually operable-means for actuating one of said valves to clamp the work piece at a loading station, means toindex said carrier to move the work to a heating station, a heating mechanism mounted on said bed, power operable means for advancing said slide to move. the work piece at the heatingstation into heating relation with said heating mechanism, means to reverse said power operable means to cause retraction of the slide, andameans trip operable by the retracting slide.- to automatically actuate the control valve at the; heating station to release a work piece.

6'. In a machine for flame. hardening work, the combination ofv a bed havinga slide mounted thereon, an indexable carrier mounted on the slide having a plurality of 'stationsincluding a loading station and a heating station, powenoperablemea-ns forindexing said .carrier including a starting control circuit having a starting switch,. means: insaid circuit including a first switch responsive to a loaded condition at the loading station, a second switch responsive to a loaded condition at the heating station, said switches being operatively connected to thecircuit-and effective onlyin response to aloaded condition at the loading station and an unloaded condition at. the heating station to "render said starting switch effective to start: indexing;

2!) 7:...In a machine for flame hardening the pins .ofcrankshafts, the combination of abedhaving a slide mounted thereon, an indexible carrier mounted on the slide. having a plurality of stations including a loading station. and a heating station,.means on the carrier at each station for rotatably supporting a work piece, a heating mechanism mounted. on the bed having individual burners for the respective pins to be heated; a work driving clutch mounted on the slide opposite the heating station of the indexible carrier, power operable means for operatively connecting the driving clutch with the work piece at .the heating station to effect rotation thereof, and means subsequently operable to advance the slide toward the heating mechanism.

8. In a machine forheat treating shafts and the'like, the combination of a bed having a heating mechanism thereon, a work supporting slide mounted on the bed for movement to and from said heating mechanism, power operable means formoving the slide including areversing means, means in the heating mechanism automatically responsive to the temperature of the work for actuating said reversing-means to cause retraction of the. slide, a quench tank formed in the bed below said slide, and means on the slide tri'p -operable upon completion of retraction of the. slidefor moving-the heated workpiece from the-slide into the quench tank.

9. In a machine for heat treating shafts and the like, the combination of a bedhaving a heating mechanism thereon, a work supporting slide movably mounted on the bed for movement to and from said heating mechanism, power operable means carried by the slide for rotating the work piece during slide movement, a clutch for operatively connecting said power operable means to the work piece, power operable means for moving the slide including a reversing means, temperature control means in the heating mechanism automatically operable to actuate said reversing means to effect retraction of the slide, means responsive to return movement of the. slide to disengage said clutch, and sequentially operable means for removing the heated work piece from the-slide and quenching the same.

10. In a machine for heat treating shafts and the like, the combination of a bed having a heating. mechanism thereon, aslide movable on the bed to and from said heatingtmechanism, power operable means for effecting said movement in.- eluding-reversingmeans, anindexible work sup port mountedonsaid slide for positioning a work piece for heating, temperature control meansin the heating mechanism responsive to the temperature .of they work: for automatically actuatingsaid reversing mechanism to cause retraction of the slide, trip means operable in response to return movement of the slide for removing therheated. work piece from the indexible support, and; means. responsive to removal of the work for automatically effecting indexing of the support.

11.. In a machine for heat treating shafts and the like, thecombination of a bed having a heating mechanism thereon, a slide movably mounted on the bed to and from a heating mechanism, an indexible work support mounted on said slide having .a plurality of work supporting stations, a poweroperable-indexing mechanism carried by the slide including a constantly rotating shaft, adriven shaft operatively connected for rotating said support, an electric clutch for coupling said shafts, and an electric brake automatically operable upon deenergization of said clutch for stopping said indexible support.

12. In a machine for heat treating shafts and the like, the combination of a bed having a heat treating mechanism thereon, a work supporting slide movable on the bed to and from said heating mechanism, a pair of work supporting members carried by the slide for terminally engaging and supporting a Work piece for rotation during the heat operation, said heating mechanism having work temperature control means automatically responsive to the temperature of the work for causing retraction of the work supporting members, and means carried by the slide for supporting the work piece after retraction of the work supporting members, said means being effective upon retraction of the slide to effect quenching of the work.

13. In a flame hardening machine for heat treating the crankpin of a rotatable crankshaft. the combination of a bifurcated burner for heating the pin, means supporting said burner for rotary movement for a circular path having a throw equal to the throw of said pin, a continuously driven shaft connected for driving said burner, a one tooth clutch continuously driven by said shaft, a work driver having terminal work engaging means shaped to engage co-acting shaped means on the end of the crankshaft in only one rotatable position thereof, detent means to determine the rotary position of the work driver during loading to position the crankpin in phase with said burner, and means to connect said work driver with said one tooth clutch to effect synchronous rotation of the burner and crankshaft.

14. In a flame hardening machine for heat treating the crankpin of a rotatable crankshaft, the combination of a bifurcated burner for heating the pin, means supporting said burner for rotary movement in a circular path having a throw equal to the throw of said pin, a continuously driven shaft connected for driving said burner, a one tooth clutch continuously driven by said shaft, a work driver having terminal work engaging means shaped to engage coacting shaped means on the end of the crankshaft in only one rotatable position thereof, detent means to determine the rotary position of the work driver during loading to position the crankpin in phase with said burner, means to connect said work driver with said one tooth clutch to effect synchronous rotation of the burner and crankshaft, and means to shift the crankshaft to and from the burner to effect insertion and withdrawal of the pin with respect to the burner during continuous movement of each.

15. In a flame hardening machine for heat treating the crankpin of a rotatable crankshaft, the combnation of a bifurcated burner for heating the pin, means supporting said burner for rotary movement for a circular path having a throw equal to the throw of said pin, a continuously driven shaft connected for driving said burner, a one tooth clutch continuously driven by said shaft, a work driver having terminal work engaging means shaped t engage co-acting shaped means on the end of the crankshaft in only one rotatable position thereof, detent means to determine the rotary position of the work driver during loading to position the crankpin in phase with said burner, means t connect said work driver with said one tooth clutch to effect synchronous rotation of the burner and crankshaft, and power operable means to shift the crankshaft to and from the burner during continuous movement of each.

16. In a flame hardening machine for heat treating the crankpin of a rotatable crankshaft, the combination of a bifurcated burner for heating the pin, means supporting said burner for rotary movement for a circular path having a throw equal to the throw of said pin, a continuously driven shaft connected for driving said burner, a one tooth clutch continuously driven by said shaft, a work driver having terminal work engaging means shaped to engage co-acting shaped means on the end of the crankshaft in only one rotatable position thereof, detent means to determine the rotary position of the work driver during loading to position the crankpin in phase with said burner, means to connect said Work driver with said one tooth clutch to effect synchronous rotation of the burner and crankshaft, power operable means to shift the crankshaft to and from the burner during continuous movement of each, and means responsive to engagement of said one tooth clutch to effect actuation of said power operable means.

ERWIN G. ROEHM.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

